Telephone-switch system



(No Model.) f

G.' C. GOULD.

TELEPHONE SWITCH SYSTEM.

No. 422,765. Patented Mar. 4.1890.

.NNE

LA I Z..E 31A 4k (LEA .Nl al C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. CLAUDE C. GOULD, OF ATAVIA, ASSIGNOR"`TO THE EASTERN ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF VVHEATFIELD, NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE-SWITCH SYSTEM.v

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 422,765, dated March 4, 1890.

Application inea July 2s, 1889.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE C. GOULD, a citid zen of the United States, residing at Batavia, in the county of Genesee and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improve# ments in TelephoneSwitch Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the switch-board systems which are employed in telephone-exro changes for connecting together the different subscribers in communication with the central office or exchange.

The object ot' my invention is to provide a simple switch system whereby connections between the subscribers can be conveniently and rapidly made.

The invention consists of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and 'pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing represents a sectional elevation of my improved switchboard system, the sockets, plugs, and connections of two subscribers being shown in the drawing.

A represents the table portion of the switchboard, and A the upright portion thereof, having a ledge or horizontal top A2.

B B' represent sockets or tubular supports arranged in tho table A, and C C are the re- 3o movable plugs inserted in the same.

oo represent two bindingposts attached to the horizontal top A2, and with which the subscribers main lines o2 e8 are connected.

D D are the annunciators attached to the upright portion A of the switchboar'd, and d the pivoted aprons thereof. The apron of each annunciator is held in a raised position by a vertically-swingin g hook d, attached to the armature of the annunciator in the usual 4o manner.

e represents a wire connecting the binding- `post c with one end of the coil of the annunciators l), and e a wire connecting the bindingpost c with one end of the coil ot' the annunciator D.

ff represent wires connecting the opposite ends of the coils with the plugs C C.

' g represents a"n1ainline contact or spring arranged at the lower portion of each socket 5o B B', and g g2 are wires or legs connecting Serial No. 318.351. (No modell) said contacts with the binding-posts c c. Each of these `contact-springs is attached to a non-conductive plate g4, secured to one side of each socket, whereby the contacts are insulated from the sockets.

h represents a contact-spring secured to the upper portion of each socket and connected with the ground by a wire h.

i represents a generator contactspring ar ranged on each socket between its upper and 6o lower contacts and secured to the non-conductive plate g4, and j. is a wire connected with the generator-contactsof all the sockets on the switchboard.

j jg represent dead generatorecontacts secured to the floor in proximity to each other and connected, respectively, by wires ff with the main generator-wire j and a generator J.

7'5 represents a movable contact arranged above the dead generator-contacts j t7'2 and 7o adapted to connect the latter, so as to establishv a connection between the generator J and the generator-contacts t' ot the sockets. This movable contact is attached tothe under side of a treadle j, pivoted to the floor.

K represents a movable plug seat or holder arranged in each support B B. This plug seat consists ot' a metallic sleeve provided with lateral guide pins or studs 7c k', which project through longitudinal slots k2, formed 8o in opposite sides of the socket.

7a3 represents a spiral supporting-spring surrounding each socket and bearing with its lower end aga-inst an annular shoulder k at the lower end of the socket and with its upper end against the pins or studs 7c 7c', so as to hold the movable sleeve in an elevated position. The stud k of each sleeve projects outwardly a suilicient distance to engage against the upper contact h when the sleeve 9o is raised, and against either the intermediate generatoncontact t' or the lower contact g when the sleeve is depressed.

The plugs C C', which are adapted to fit in the seats K, each consist of a nonconductive handle portion Z and a metallic portion Z', having an annular rim or shoulder Z2, adapted to restA upon the upper end ot' the sleeve K, as shown in the drawing. The metallic portion of the plug is provided with a shoulroe dered contact-pin Z3, projecting from the inner end of the plug and on one side of said pin, with a socket or recess Z4 for receiving the pin of another similar plug when the plugs are placed end to end,l as represented by dotted lines in the drawing. The end of the wire connected with each plug is in contact with the metallic portion Z of the plug. Vhen the plugs are seated in `their holders, as represented in the drawing, a circuit is established between the Asubscribers and the central oflice by the main lines c2 c3, bindingposts c and c,`annunciators D D plug-wires ff', the metallic portions Z of the plugs, the movable sleeves K, studs 7c', contact-springs h, and ground-wires h.

A the pin.

and the spring coiled thereon.

M represents the operators listening-telephone, and M a coupler whereby theI operators telephone is connected with the plugs of the subscribers lines. This coupler consists of a cylindrical tube m of non-conductive material and a movable metallic coupling-sleeve m', arranged within the tube. The lower portion of this sleeve isl split longitudinally to forma number of spring-arms m2. These arms are provided at their lower ends with hooks or catches m3, which are designed to embrace the pin Z3 of a plug and interlock with the shoulder thereof. The lower portion of the bore of the tube m, in which the split portion of the coupling-sleeve m is arranged, is tapered outwardly, as shown, so that upon pushing the sleeve inwardly the spring-catches project beyond the end of the coupler and spring outwardly, in which position they may be attached to or detached from the pin of the plug, while upon retracting the sleeve the spring-catches are moved inwardly toward each other and caused to clasp the shouldered pin. The coupler is 'readily attached to a plug by pressing its spring-catches over the tapering shoulder of The tapering bore of the coupleris preferably formed in a screw-plug m4, fitted in the end of the tube m, as shown in the drawing.V A

m5 represents aspiral spring surrounding the coupling-sleeve m and interposed between` the plug mtand a thumb-piece m, arranged at the upper end of the sleeve. The coupler is provided with an annular rim or shoulder m7, against the under side of. which the index and middle fingers of the hand are placed and whereby the coupler is conveniently held. l f n n represents the conducting-Wire connected with themetallic sleeve m of the coupler, and preferably wound upon a spring-pulley N, journaled in brackets suspended from the ceiling or other support.

n is a wire connecting the operators listenin g-telephone M with the metallic brackets of the pulley N. Connection is established between these brackets and the wire of the coupler, by the metallic spindle of the pulley Upon releasing the coupler the spring-pulley winds the nected.

wire of the coupler upon the pulley 'and elevates the coupler above the table of the sockets in the switch-board.

For convenience inldescribin g the operation of the system the subscribers sockets and annunciators, the binding-posts c c', and the subscribers telephones are numbered, respectively, l and 2. For instance, subscriber No.1 desires to be connected with subscriber No. 2. Upon calling the central office the armature of annunciator No. l is vibrated and the apron thereof caused todrop, notifying the operator at the central office that subscriber No. 1 has called.` The operator loops the listening-telephone into the circuit by connecting the coupler M with plug No. 1, and after doing so releases the coupler, whereuponl the spring-pulleyN raises the coupler with the interlocked plug and lifts the 4latter out of its socket, thereby breaking the contact between the plug andthe plug-seat K of the socket and breaking the groundfconnection Zz of the socket. The operator is now connected with the subscriber bythe coupler M', plug-wire f, annunciator D, Wire e, binding-post c, and main line c2. Having ascertained that subscriber No. i desires to communicate, say, with subscriber No. 2, the operator now detaches the coupler from plug No.1, connects the latter with the plug of subscriber No. 2 by inserting the pins Z3 of the plugs into each others recesses Z4,Y and pushes the 'two connected plugs into the socket of plug No.2 until the stud lo of the plug-seat of socket No.2 comes in contact with the lower contact-spring g.

socket by tipping the same after they are depressed, so as to engage the shoulder Zzof the outer plug under a shoulder o, arranged in the upper portion of the socket. The subscribers are now connected by the main line c2 of subscriber No. 1, binding-post c, wire e, annunciator D, plug-wire f, and plugs C C', plug-seat Kuof No. 2, stud k of saidseat, contact-spring g, wire gf, binding-post c, and main line c@ of subscriberNo, 2. At the same time that the operator presses the plugs down into socket,` No. 2 he depresses the treadle j and connects the contact t' with the generator, so that in being shifted fromthel upper contact-point Zt to the lower contact g, and before touching the latter, the stud 7c rides over. the generator-contact t', thereby momentarily interposing the generator in the circuit, 'causing the bells of both subscribers to be Vrung and notifying the subscribers that they are con- During the interval that the stud k is in contact with the gen erator-contact t' the currentrpasses over the wire f of plug No. 2 and through annunciator No.2, and causes the apron of the latter to drop; but as soon as the stud 7c leaves the upper'contacth and passes saidgenerator-contact the ground-connection of socket No. 2 and the connectiony with annunciator No. 2 are broken, and the current passes from the lower contact g over The plugs, 4are held in this depressed position in the IOO ITO

the Wire g2 directly to the main line of subscriber No. 2. After having connected the subscribers the operator replaces the two fallen aprons. Vhen either or both subscribers ring off, the current passes through the annunciator of the calling subscriber and causes the apron thereof to drop, thus notifying the operator that the subscribers have iinished. He now replaces the fallen apron,l

disconnects the two plugs, and replaces the plug of the called subscriber in its socket, as shown in the drawing, when the parts are again in their normal position ready for an'- other call.

The portions of the connecting wires or cords attached to the plugs are preferably provided with weights p, as shown, so as to firmly press the rim Z2 of the plugs against the upper ends ot the plug=seats K and form areliable contact therewith.

My improved switch-board is simple in construction, and Vcan be produced at comparatively small expense'.

I claim as my invention-- 1. The combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a socket or support, a groundcontact, a main-line contact, and a movable plug seat or holder arranged in said support and adapted to form a contact with either the groundcontact or the main-line contact, substantially as set forth.

2. The co1nbination,with the main line and a plug connected therewith, ofa socket or support, a groundcontact, a main-line contact, and a generator-contact, and a movable plug seat or holder arranged in said support and adapted to forni a contact with the groundcontact, the generator-contact, or the mainline contact, substantially as setforth.

3. The combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a socket or su pn port, aground-contact, a maindine contact, a movable plug seat or holder arranged in said support and adapted to form a contact with either the ground-contact or the main-line contact, and a spring bearing against said plug seat or holder, substantiallyas set forth.

4. The combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a socket or support, a groundcontact, and a maimline contact, a movableplug seat or holder arranged in said support and adapted to form a contact with either the ground^contact or the mainline contact, a spring bearing vagainst said plug seat or holder, and a locking device whereby the plug-holder is held in a depressed position in the support, substantially as setforth.

5p. The combination, with a socket or support havin g an internal offset or shoulder, of a ground-contact and a main-line contact, a movable plug seat or holder arranged in said support, a spring bearing against said plug` seat, and a plug connected with the main line and provided with a rim or shoulder adapted to interlock with the oset or shoulder of said support, substantially as set forth. a 4

6. The combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a socket or support, a movable plug-seat arranged in said support, ground and main-line contacts, a generator, a vgeneratorncontact arranged between the ground and main-line contacts, dead-contacts connected, respectively, with said generator and generatoncontact, and a movable contact for connecting said deadcontacts, substantially as set forth.

7 The combination,with the main line and 4 in said support and adapted to form a contact with either the groundcontact or the mainm line contact, an operato ris listening-telephone, a coupler connecting the listeningftelephone with the plug o f themain line, and a lifting device `whereby the coupler and the plug con# nected therewith are elevated, substantially as set forth. t

9. The combination, with the main line and a plug connected therewith, of a socket or support, a ground-contact, a main-line contact, a movable plug seat or holder arranged in said support and adapted to form a contact with either the groundecontact or the mainline contact, an operators listeningteleplrone, a coupler connecting the listening-telephone with` the plug of the main line, and a springn ICO pulley upon vwhich the connectingwire of said 1 coupler is wound, substantially as set forth.

l0. The combination, with a plug having a projecting pin, of a coupler consisting of a tubular handle and spring catches made lengthwise movable in said handle and adapted to interlock with the pin of the plug, substantially as set forth. ll. The combination, with a plug having a headed or shouldered pin, of a coupler con sisting of a tubular handle having a tapering bore, spring-arms made lengthwise movable in said handle and having locking hooks or catches, and a spring whereby the movable spring=arms are drawn into the tubular ham die and contracted, substantially as set forth, Witness my hand this 9th day of April,V

ieee. Y

CLAUDE C. GOULD.' Witnesses JNO. J. BoNNEr., 

